I am a retired nurse and I used to travel full time in a 36 foot motor home with my dog, Maggie Mae. Now I live in an RV resort most of the year, but visit my son frequently. I still love to travel and take Maggie with me whenever I can. I believe life is a journey and you never know what is around the bend. If you like, come along for the ride.

Maggie Mae

Monday, January 31, 2011

BIG BEN, THE MOST RECOGNIZED SYMBOL OF LONDONBig Ben is actually not the clock, but the bell inside which weighs 16 tons. The clock tower is the largest 4 faced chiming clock in the world. It was built in 1859. The clock tower is adjacent to the House of Parliment.

We took a City Cruise trip up the Thames River to Grenwich. The boats are glassed in which really helps in winter. The Waterloo bridge is called the Woman's bridge because it was entirely built by women during WWII. On the way we passed Shakespear's Theater.SHAKESPEARE'S THEATER

We were disappointed that the Cutty Sark was completely covered up for renovation. Most of London is either getting ready for the Queens Jubilee, The Wedding of William and Kate, or the 2012 Olympics.

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AT GRENWICH

MIKE STANDING ON THE PRIME MERIDIAN

The Prime Meridian Line separates East from West in the same way that the Equator separates North from South. Mike has one foot in the west and one in the east.

One thing about London is that it is a mix between old and new. This building is facinating, it is so different.LONDON CITY HALL

THE LONDON EYE

This ends my trip for this time. Home is an 8 1/2 hour plane ride tomorrow. This is always the worst part of a trip for me, being couped up in a plane with no room to move around. Having said that, I would do it again to have another great Escape. Although I had written the blog, I have not been able to publish until I got home, which I am, safe and sound. Hope you all had a good a time as I did.

The Tower of London is the place where many disfavored people were sent before being executed. Most of Henry the VIII's wives resided here for a time. It also holds the ledgend of the lost little princess. The two little boys were inline for the thrown, but were sent here, never to be seen again. There is no record of what happened to them. It is also the place where the Crown Jewels are kept (no picture taking). In the scepter used at coronations is the largest diamond in the world. There are a number of crowns with precious stones like the Crown of India, and the Australian Crown, but my absolute favorite is the little diamond encrusted crown worn by Queen Victoria. THIS IS TRAITORS GATE. Prisoners could be tied here and await the tide coming from the Thames River. You may wonder why there are Ravens kept at the Tower of London. Legend says that if the Ravens are ever removed, the Tower of London will crumble to the ground.

This is the famous Tower Bridge. Rumor has it that when the city of Lake Havasu bought the "London Bridge" they thought they were getting this one. You can go up inside the bridge and walk along the top span. They have turned the area into a museum of the history of the bridge. In the bottom on the far side is another museum that shows you the inner workings of the bridge.

This statue is in front of Buckingham Palace. The Queen was not in residence, so no afternoon tea.

GATES TO BUCKINGHAM PALACETHE MEWS,ARE THE ROYAL STABLES. The stables house the horses and State Carriages.The center of the Mews. Notice the helicopter in the trees. This is the Royal Helicopter transporting a "Royal". Don't know which one. The Queen was at Sandringham. The Royal color is a deep claret as is this helicopter.

The Mews has an impressive number of coaches and these are only the some of them. I wonder which one William and Kate will use.QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S COACH

The coach, which weighs over 4 tons, is pulled by 8 horses. It was built in 1762 and has been used at the coronation of every monarch since. It can also be used at Royal Weddings, and the Jubilee of the Monarch. It takes at least 2 days to get it out of the building as it is too big to get out of any door. They basically dismantle a wall. On top of the carriage are 3 gold cherubs representing England, Ireland, and Scotland.Hope you are enjoying the trip so far.

We left Rome just about noon and arrived in London a few hours later. There is a 6 hour difference between Rome and home and a 5 hour difference from London. Purchased an express train pass from Gatwick to Paddington Station. We decided to take a taxi from Paddington Station as we were not really sure how long a walk it would be. Glad we did! The Rembrandt turned out to be quite a nice hotel. Although the hallways squeaked with age, the rooms were updated and even had a spa tub. By the time we got settled in, it was after 5 and a little late to go sight seeing. Dark and cold---burr. We decided to walk to Harrods which was on the same street and only about 5 or so blocks down. What a place. You can buy anything at all in Harrods. Very expensive to eat in a restaurant there, but you can buy all manner of food in the food courts. Our hotel includes a lovely English breakfast. Not the stale danish, juice and coffee you are lucky to get in the states. They had meats, cheeses, eggs, baked beans, tomatoes, fruits, yogurt, cereal, breads and pastries as well as juice, tea and coffee. I skipped the baked beans, thank you. Very nice indeed! The hotel staff told us that an express train would take us to Windsor and it ended right in town at the foot of Windsor Castle. Although some of the areas were closed off for filming in preparation for the Queens Jubilee next year marking 60 years in office, we were able to see St. Georges Chapel, the State Apartments and the changing of the guard. No picture taking in the State Apartments.

I didn't realize until later that the Museum of Rome we went to, is actually one of three structures within the city. It is pretty close to the train station and an easy walk from out hotel. As our previous guide told us, Rome copied much from Greece which was a much more advanced society. The Romans simply changed the names of the Gods and made them their own. For instance, the Greek Goddess Athena, became the Roman Minerva.MINERVA, THE GODDESS OF WAR.

EMPEROR AUGUSTUS

THE DISCOBOLUS, 460-450BC

THE SLEEPING HERMAPHRODITE

MOSAIC MURALS ON THE WALLS, EACH TINY TILE MAKING UP PART OF THE DESIGN

THE BOXER

JEWELRY

There is just so much to see that I can't possibly post all the pictures I have. Truly amazing.

SAINT PETER'S BASILICA, ROME, ITALYToday is going to be a rainy and cold day, so we decided to do inside things. The Vatican Museum is huge with everything from Egytian Mummys, Frescos, and Tapestries to Statues and spectacular ceilings. MUMMY IN EGYPTIAN ROOMSANTINOO-OSIRIS, PERIOD OF HADRIAN 131-138BCANIMAL ROOM IN VATICAN MUSEUMAPOLLO BELVEDERE, ABOUT 325BCCEILING IN VERY, VERY LONG HALLWAYSORRY, NO PICTURES ALLOWED IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL, BUT THESE ARE FROM ST. PETER'S BASILICA. MICHELANGELO'S PIETASAINT PETERThis picture gives you some idea of the Basilica's massive size. In the very center of the picture you can see a dark structure with a canopied top. It is over 7 stories high. MIKE IN SAINT PETER'S BASILICATOMB OF SAINT PETERUntil next time..........

Friday turned out to be a clear day, so we decided to do the walking tour of the Palatine Hill. This is the hill that Romulus decided to build the city of Rome. We got the audio tour. I highly recommend doing this as it explains what you are looking at and brings the history alive. Otherwise, you are just looking at ruins or statues of people. They are also accurate unlike our 81 year old guide from a few days ago.From the top of the hill you have a commanding view of the Forum, Colosseum and the spot where Circus Maximus once stood. THE IMPERIAL PALACESTADIUM WITHIN PALACEMIKE ON TOP OF THE PALATINE HILL WITH THE COLOSSEUM IN THE BACKROUNDTEMPLE OF ANTONINIUS AND FAUSTINA AS SEEN FROM THE TOP OF THE PALATINE HILLARCH OF TITUSTHOUGHT TO BE THE SITE WHERE CAESAR WAS CREMATEDMIKE, TAKING A BREAK ON A 2000+ YEAR OLD COLUMNWe stopped back at what is becoming our favorite cafe just above the Colosseum. The waiter, Francisco, has been most helpful. He told us we should not miss a church close by as it had the statue of Moses by Michelangelo inside. The church is called San Pietro in Vincoli, which means: Saint Peter in Chains. The outside wasn't very impressive, but the inside....wow!CHAINS THOUGHT TO HAVE BOUND SAINT PETER WHEN HE WAS A PRISONER AT MAMERTINE PRISONUntil next time...........